Extension leaf table



April 26, 1949.

Filed July 12, 1946 J. C. L. VIEHMANN EXTENSION LEAF TABLE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTO RN EY5 April 1949- J. c. L. VIEHMANNEXTENSION LEAF TABLE 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1946 INVENTO R Jay/v6'1. flaw/mm BYZ I ATTO RN EYS Patented Apr. 26, 1949 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE EXTENSION LEAF TABLE John C. L. Viehmann, Manhasset, N. Y.Application July 12, 1946, Serial No. 683,213

9 Claims.

My invention relates to an extension leaf table, and a means ofconstructing the same so as to achieve additional support for theextension leaves when they are in extended supportin position.

Extension leaf tables of the type here involved, that is to say, tablesin which the extension leaves are mounted on the table so as to behoused beneath the fixed table top and extendable to a supportingposition in abutting alignment with the tabletop, are well-knownarticles of manufacture and have proved exceedingly popularcommercially. One of the prime difiiculties in constructing tables ofthis type has been the provision of suitable supporting means for theextension leaf when it is in its extended supporting position so that itwill retain its alignment with the table top despite the application ofweight thereto, either in the form cf articles supported thereby or theweight of people leaning thereon. Various methods have in the past beenproposed to attain such support, but all of them are characterized byrequiring relatively complicated structures which are both difficult tomanufacture and extremely susceptible to damage.

It is a prime object of the present invention to provide a tableconstruction in which positive and adequate support is provided for theextension leaf when it is in its extended supporting position,

which support is achieved by means of a simple structure which is atonce both easy to manufacture and assemble and extremely sturdy.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a tablein which the supporting means for the extension leaf simultaneouslyserves as its guiding means as the leaf is moved from its housed to itsextended supporting position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tableconstruction in which the supporting and guiding means is so constructedand so coacts with the remainder of the table assembly that movement ofthe extension leaf from its housed to its extended supporting positionis simply and positively achieved and controlled.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and such other objects asmay hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an extensionleaf table as sought to be defined in the appended claims and asdescribed in this specification taken together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table having one extension leaf in itsextended supporting position 2 and having the other extension leaf inits housed position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view of an end rail of the table showing theposition of the extension leaf guiding and supporting means when theextension leaf is in its extended supporting position;

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the guiding and supporting means in adifferent position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the end rail;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 except that the aperture in the endrail is provided at its lower surface with an anti-friction bearing;

Fig. 6 is a view of the table of Fig. 1 taken from underneath lookingup; and

Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line 'l! of Fig. 6.

The table of my invention includes a fixed table top, generallydesignated A, beneath which is housed at least one extension leaf,generally designated B, which is movable from its housed position belowthe fixed tabletop A (right-hand leaf B of Fig. 1) to an extendedsupporting position in abutting alignment with the fixed table top A(left-hand extension leaf B of Figs. 1 and 7), in which latter positionits upper surface, constitutes a substantially coplanar extension of thefixed tabletop A. The extension leaf B is guided in its motion betweenthese two positions by at least one guiding and supporting means, hereshown in the form of a slide bar, generally designated C, which is soshaped as to be slidable through an aperture D in an end rail E of thetable.

The aperture D is formed with an upper constricted neck portion F whichopens to the top of the end rail E and. a portion G of the slide bar Cis so shaped as to be passable through the constricted neck portion F ofthe aperture D. This constricted portion G is so positioned on the slidebar C as to come into registration with the aperture D when theextension leaf is not in its extended supporting position, andpreferably when the extension leaf B has been extended beyond itssupporting position. That portion of the slide bar 0 which comes intoregistration with the orifice D when the extension leaf B is in itsextendedsupporting position is of such a size as not to be passablethrough the constricted neck portion F of the aperture D. Consequently,once the extension leaf B has been raised above its housedposition-which is accomplished by aligning the constricted body portionG of the slide bar C with the aperture D and in then raising the samecut of the aperture in which event the missing portion of the circledefines its constricted neck portion F. In so forming the aperture D,only a single boring or drilling operation is necessary to shape boththe aperture D and the constricted neck portion F. Such an aperture D isillustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6.

For heavy duty, however, it may be found that the constricted neckportion F thus formed is insubstantial and the thin walls thereformed,particularly at its inner edges, may tend to become distorted, thuslessening the support afforded the extension leaf B. In such cases, theaperture D may be formed as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, where iltassumes a keyhole shape in cross-section. More than one operation isnecessary to form an aperture D of this shape and for that reason thepreviously described aperture shape is preferred where sufiicientsupport will be afforded thereby.

During the motion of the extension leaf B from its housed position tothe position where the constricted body portion G of the slide bar comeswithin the aperture D, the slide bar C may carry the weight of theextension leaf B and may rest upon and slide over the bottom surface ofthe aperture D. In order to facilitate this sliding, the apertureillustrated in Fig. 5 is provided on its lower surface with a metalplate 34 within which is retained a plurality of ball bearings 36, thusdefining an anti-friction bearing over which the slide bar C may slide,in this manner greatly facilitating the easeof manipulation of theextension leaf B.

By the construction as above described, I have formed an extension leaftable, the various elements of which may be manufactured and shaped inan exceedingly simple manner, these elements when assembled constitutinga table of pleasing appearance which affords a maximum of support to theextension leaves B thereof when those leaves are in their extendedsupporting position. This support is provided at a point as close to theextension leaves B as it is possible to come and at the same time nothave unsightly and dangerous projections from the table when theextension leaf B is in its housed position.

It will be apparent that many variations may be made in the details ofconstruction of this table without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined in the following claims:

I claim:

1. In an extension leaf table having a table body including an end rail,a table top, and supporting legs therefor, an extension leaf mounted onsaid table body so as to be movable to an extended supporting positionin abutting alignment with the table top and to a contracted positionunder the table top, and a support for the extension leaf comprising aslide bar carrying said leaf and slidable in an aperture in said endrail, said aperture having a constricted neck portion open at the top ofsaid rail and said slide bar having a constricted body portion extendingfrom top to bottom thereof and completely passable through saidconstricted neck portion when the leaf is moved to an extended positionin which said constricted body portion is in alignment with said neckportion, an unconstricted part of said slide bar larger than said neckportion resting on and being supported by the top of said rail on saidconstricted neck when the leaf is in abutting alignment with the tabletop.

2. In an extension leaf table having a table body including an end rail,a table top, and supporting legs therefor, an extension leaf mountedslidable in an aperture in said end rail, said aperture having aconstricted neck portion open at the top of said rail, and said slidebar having a constricted body portion extending from top to bot- .tomthereof and completely passable through said constricted neck portiononly when the leaf is moved to a position extended beyond its supportingposition in which said constricted body portion is in alignment withsaid neck portion, an unconstricted part of said slide bar larger thansaid neck portion resting on and being supported by the top of said railon said constricted neck when the leaf is in its supporting position inabutting alignment with the table top.

3. In an extension leaf table having a table body including an end rail,a table top, and sup porting legs therefor, an extension leaf mounted onsaid table body so as to be movable to an extended supporting positionin abutting alignment with the table top and to a contracted positionunder the table top, and a support for the extension leaf comprlsing aslide bar carrying said leaf and slidable in an aperture in said endrail, said aperture having an anti-friction bearing on its lowersurfaces and a constricted neck portion open at the top of said rail,and said slide bar being slidable over said anti-friction bearing andhaving a constricted body portion extending from top to bottom thereofand completely passable through said constricted neck portion only whenthe leaf is moved to a position extended beyond its supporting positionin which said constricted body portion is in alignment with said neckportion, and unconstricted part of said slide bar larger than said neckportion resting on and being supported by the top of said rail on saidconstricted neck when the leaf is in its supporting position in abuttingalignment with the table top.

4. The table of claim 3, in which said aperture is pf a keyhole shape incross-section, said constricted neck portion of which extends to and isopen at the top of said end rail and in which said slide bar is of acircular cross-section slightly less than that of the rounded part ofsaid keyhole aperture except for a flattened portion of a width lessthan the width of said constricted neck portion, said flattened portiondefining said constricted body portion.

5. The table of claim 3, in which said aperture is of a cross-sectioncorresponding to a portion of a circle greater than a semi-circle butless than a full circle, the missing portion of the circle defining saidconstricted neck portion, and in which said slide bar comprises a metaltube of circular cross-section the diameter of which is less than thediameter of said aperture and greater than the width of said constrictedneck portion, said constricted body portion of said slide bar having awidth less than that of said constricted neck portion so as to bepassable therethrough.

6. The table of claim 3, in which said aperture is of a keyhole shape incross-section, said con stricted neck portion of which extends to and isopen at th top of said end rail, and in which said slide bar is of acircular cross-section slightly less than that of the rounded part ofsaid keyhole aperture except for a portion of a width less than thewidth of said constricted neck portion, said portion defining saidconstricted body portion, said slide bar carrying: a stop element whichin cooperation with said table. been the extensibility of said.extension leaf to: position where the constricted portion of saidbarcomes into: registration. the con.- striated neck portion of saidaperture.

'7. The table of claim 3:, in which the abutting surfacesv of. saidextension leaf and said. table top are provided with interlockingportionssoshaped that the. said table top will; provide additionalsupport for said. extension leaf when thetwo are in abutting alignment.

8'. In. an extension leaf table having a. table body including an endrail, a. tabletop, and sup porting legs therefor, an extension leafi on.said table body so as. to be movable. to; extended supporting position.in: abutting align-- ment with the table top and to a contractedposition under the table top, and a support: for the extension leafcomprising a slide bar of generally circular cross-section carryingsaidileai and slidable. in an aperture in said. end: said aperturehaving a constricted neck portion open at the top of said rail and: saidslide bar having a flattened body; portion extending from; top tobottom. thereof and completelypassable through said: constricted neckportion when the leaf is moved to. an extended; position which saidflattened body portion islin alignment with; said neck portion, anunfi'attened part of said slide bar larger than said neck portionresting on and being; supported by the top of said rail on saidconstricted neck: portion when the leaf is abutting, alignment withthetable top;

9;. In. an extension leaf table having a table body including an endrail, atable'top; and sup 8. porting-legs: therei'on an. extension. leafmounted tm said table. body seas: to beimowable. to are extendedsupporting position abutting: alignment with the table top and: to acontracted position under the, tame top, and; a" support for the sio'nfear, comprising a slide-bar tire form. of a hollow metal tube ofcircular cross-section carrying; said least and. 'slidabie in anaperture in said end said aperture being. of. cmuia'r cross-section andhaving a. constricted. portion open,- at. the topoii said; andwsaidslide baihavmg; a flattained body portion extending from too tobottom.thereof and oompfetelypassithrough said constricted neck: :portion" whentl'releaiie'moveditoian extended position in which said flattened. bodyportion. is-

alienment wdtfi said neck: portion, an. un dattene'd part at said slide.bar" larger: than. said ne'clo portion resume on being-supported bythertonof sazidi r ioii said constricted. neckportion the lea i'is -inabutting alignment with the tameton.

REFERENCES (BITE!) The" following references are of record" in the fileof this patent? UNITED STATES Number Name; l I

2301737 60 Lamnn Oct. 151. T935 Re=.19,'9'40' Creech- A191: 21", 1936FOREIGN PATENTS Number com-lev Date 26 L064 Great 'B'ritain Mar; 1 04865614 oerman Nov. 1 9, 12

